The eight commandments of alliance selection:
1. Have a list
2. Have a list
3. Don't use the word "gracious" or "graciously" anywhere.
4. Don't list your sponsors ("on behalf of NASA, the Human fund, and Famous Original Ray's Pizza, we'd like to ask Theodore Roosevelt's Disco Haircut to join our alliance")
5. If you're scared to talk into the mic, keep it simple. "We'd love to".
6. If you're not, ham it up:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbBx-bqUBhQ
7. If you're going to choose to form your own alliance(what's declining?), people will boo. Stay strong. You presumably know what you're doing.
8. This is the last part of the competition weekend where the drama is accessible and personal to all of the teams. It's ok if it's fun.